NCJ Number
150323
Journal
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Communique Dated: special issue (Spring 1993) Pages: 12-15
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Colorado is designing a comprehensive system to test its 12,000 felony offenders per year, classify those with substance abuse problems in a standardized way, and match offenders with appropriate treatment and sanction options.
Abstract
The system is in response to HB 91-1173, a bill intended to provide a consistent response to substance abuse at all points of Colorado's criminal justice system. Under the legislation, any offender who tests positive for drugs or alcohol must receive intensified testing, treatment supervision, or other sanctions designed to control substance abuse. A pilot study is being conducted to move Colorado closer to full implementation of its approach to drug-involved offenders. The study is focusing on correctional personnel and treatment providers in order to identify appropriate substance abuse evaluation instruments and treatment options. Colorado's plan differs from many other approaches because it combines assessment, treatment, urine testing, and punitive sanctions in one overall system. The plan is based on the offender's risk of criminality or recidivism, the severity of substance abuse, and the offender's response to different services. The plan also stresses matching treatment with individual needs according to various levels of treatment intensity. Procedures involved in selecting and testing instruments for screening offenders who need treatment are described, as well as procedures for computerizing the resulting data.